Nutrients for Autos in their first month debate

[Need2Know]

A friend and I disagree on 'Auto strains' nutrient needs while in their veg state. I say that all you need is a good bag of Tomato plant Soil for the veg state because Autos only are in the veg state for a month. Tomato soil bags say the nutrients are good for 6 weeks till you need to add fertilizer. I think nutrients are only needed in the flowering stage, after 4 weeks. My friend feels the 'Auto' plants need nutrients throughout there entire life except the first week. What do you think?

[Orggrwr]

Depends on the plant and the soil it's in. If the "tomato soil" has nutes in it and the plants look healthy you're good, if the plant starts showing deficiencies then it's time to feed. Basically let the plants tell you when they're hungry instead of going by a set schedule. So i guess my vote on the disagreement is depending on the circumstances you both could be right, not a very satisfying answer i know.

[ductwizard2]

Hey Need2Know how ya doin? Everything I've read says not to use pre-packaged soil like M.G. for weed plants. I used it a cpl years ago and it worked ok but I had much better results with soil I dug outta an old compost/ leaf pile. As 4 nutes in flowering, how much do you think they increase growth or strength? Are they worth it? Is reg. plant food worth it or only Weed specific nutes?. Hate to answer a question with questions but now ya' got me thinking

[Gator]

My first grow was in m.g.garden soil, yeah,it worked, but I had no experience, flowers were nice, but had no temps, left the buckets out until spring and they had a serious worm population,I thought that was a little weird

[MeowMeow]

I think it depends on how much soil you have, and how big the plants get. Like if you're growing in a tiny 1-gallon pot you probably need nutrients after a few weeks. But if you're growing in a 10-gallon pot with 10 gallons of nutrient-rich soil, you might not need to add extra nutrients for a long while.

[Gator]

Well said grasshopper

[going22fast]

personal experience ive grown some nice autos in miracle grow soil. BUT i use 5 gallon pots and i usually substitute at least a third compost on the bottom.that being said there new organic line is now trash. for autos 3 gallons of straight miracle grow may be ok because a healthy plant will use up most of the nitrogen about when it hits flower. i know i will get hate for that but its true. now you will probably have to feed them the p and k in flower because thats gonna dry up too. ive tested some name brand soils with flashy froggy bags and find them to be really heavy ph swings from one bag to another and usually are too hot for an auto straight out of the bag. not saying its bad stuff just hella expensive for dirt. compost is king. my next run will be 100 per cent recycled soil.